All things beauty and then some. Andrea Claire has been a hairstylist and makeup artist for 23 years now. A Canadian based in Singapore since 2007, she has appeared on Asia's Next Top Model, Yahoo Asia, Canadian Idol, So Chic and more.

More gift ideas for the woman in your life saving you from a year of 'Why did you get me that vacuum cleaner? What the h-e-double hockey sticks were you thinking??' Or were you trying to tell her that she sucks? Beauty Subscriptions

Just like Singapore's Vanity Trove or BellaBox, beauty subscriptions are a no-brainer. Every month a box of new beauty goodies arrive at the doorstep to be discovered. The deliveries have included trial sizes to full sizes and products such as OPI, Laura Mercier, Storyderm, Savoir Faire, OCC and more.

For the eyewear addict and how fitting to get all glitzy for the season! Trust me - there is such a thing as an eyewear addict... *fingers pointing at myself* {click that for a 2013 eyewear preview!

Acknowledge that she shops by buying her a wallet

I need a new wallet and this is the one I've been eyeballing. Hint to the HB. The snake embossed leather is a great texture but living in the tropics this may have me screaming every time I open my bag actually believing that a python slivered in so possibly deterring my desire to dig it out... anything to convince the HB that I need a Kate Spade wallet...Kate Spade New York Lacey Snake Embossed Leather Zip-Around Wallet $228.00 USD at Saks Fifth Avenue I love thezip-around closure since I tend to jam everything in. It has an inside zip pocket with two compartments, twelve credit card slots and two bill compartments. Perfecto.

Chic Business Gal on the go!

Glam Silver Flap Card Holder $250.00 SGD at Swarovski, shines in silver metal calfskin with Crystal Silver Shade Mesh on the flap. The interior reveals one flat pocket, one window pocket, and one gusset pocket for business or credit cards.

</a>A great way to try coveted and new products without committing to a full size - although some months you get a lovely surprise of a full retail-sized product! See some previous troves here.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanitytrove.com/?r=9543">

</a>BellaBox is another beauty subsciption - get both! ;) Great for the beauty addicts as they have different coveted products!

When the lovely people at Vanity Trove asked if I wanted to receive their August Rocket Science sampling for pampering I perused their menu and eagerly said 'Yes please!'

As you can see from the menu, there is more to it than an Oxypad but, the pad is what I want to talk about.

This month VT goes far deeper than the typical topical treats introducing Oxypad - this is no zit-zapping tool to oxycute them, this is for your lady parts... down there. A pad that tells you when to get your fanny to the gynae!

Stating the obvious: this is not to replace your regular visits to spread 'em but an added protection with warnings and wings!

Stating the not-so-obvious: "Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 6 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that at least 50% of sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives.

Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it.

Cervical cancer usually does not have symptoms until it is quite advanced. For this reason, it is important for women to get regular screening for cervical cancer. Screening tests can find early signs of disease so that problems can be treated early, before they ever turn into cancer." Taken from the Centre for Disease Control

No one likes to talk about the icky stuff us girls go through but without the conversations of health and awareness, illness and death can happen where it could have been prevented with early detection.

I was trying to find more information on these new Oxypad's and what I came across were a lot of complaints on the price of the pads. My reco would be - these are not your average everyday pad - this is a pumped up pad with super powers; perhaps alternate or use them periodically. ;)

With an Oxy- Warning Core TM it can give early detection for your reproductive health according to colour and odour of 'chip'. Awww! Ze microfilm!

Yes. I dissected a pad for science. Way better than dissecting a frog when I was in grade 9... I am still scarred for life.

I'm thinking the blue bit is the chip... I did wear one of the liners and found it to be more comfortable than the average.

Honestly, my thoughts: pads, tampons, pap smears, birth control etc etc should all be free!It's insane how much all these things cost. But, that will never happen and if you can save your's or your mother's/sister's/daughter's life then how can you fuss over a buck or $20?

Distributed by Elogio Asia (don't let the opening catalogue image scare you). I am having trouble opening Oxypad.com which means my research kind of stops here. Maybe you will have better luck with the link.

Beauty subscriptions are affordable with such a great assortment of new and coveted beauty and occasionally (as I have learned) something for your vaj health.

Vanity Trove: LOVED this one. You are taking care of us girls from head (to vaj) to toe.

I know it's May but let's recap Vanity Trove's April beauty treasures.

Okuma #3 orange/beige concealer. Orange cancels out dark circles. I think that the above photo proves that it works even in bad lighting.

The tips provided by VT says to blend outwards... actually... blend inwards. Why? Because your skin around your eye is so delicate that if you blend outwards over time you add to the skin aging stretch causing more fine lines and *horror*: wrinkles!

I had a set of Star Lash lashes in my April trove too. These lashes are a soft synthetic, the next best thing to real hair lashes and like the real hair, you can get up to 10 wears per pair. Save your box and clean with a gentle makeup remover and rubbing alcohol. Tip: use a cotton swab with both the remover and the alcohol so you are sure to use sparingly.

Other monthly beautiful surprises include vouchers for discounts on spa services and blogshops.

The beauty subscriptions are such a fab idea! No need to feel 'brand loyalty' pressure; it's like a beauty shoe you try on, if it doesn't fit, no worries as you didn't break the bank for a full [non-returnable] size and the bonus: some brands can't be sampled so you get the full size anyway!

Jumping ahead to June...

In line with VT's mission to finding the best beauty brands, subscribers get to join their sampling group to test some extra goodies (on top of their regular trove) when you share about June’s “Best Friends Summer” edition on their Facebook page! These will include samples from Egyptian Magic and The Body Shop!

Why not have something monthly us girls can look forward to for a change? A Vanity Trove subscription can be yours too! Just clickhere.

This past Saturday I had two beauty events to attend in one day. Whew. It's a tough job. My day was beauty-full!

Part one of my day was spent withVanity Trove introducing the March supplier for the skincare troves, Astalift in a hands-on workshop.

Astalift is a new skincare line created by Fujifilm.

Why skincare? Well Fujifilm has over 70 years of research and development. Little known fact is that the main ingredient to film is collagen! Fujifilm also has an oxidation controlling technology so their film paper years later, remains unoxidized. This technology has been brought forth to Astalift, a total collagen care concept using three types of collagen which means it works on a multi-cellular level. Each product is also based with rose damask extract therefore also pleasurable rose scent. FYI: I have a sensitive nose and the scent does not leave me wanting to wash it all off so a great sign!

Asta means ‘tomorrow’ in Japanese and lift refers to lifting up in beauty.

Skin aging occurs from internal and external factors. Drink lots of water, eat well and SUNSCREEN! Photo-aging refers to aging of skin and UV rays certainly have a lot of impact in aging.

SPF protects skin from the UVB rays which are a medium wavelength, affecting the surface of the skin. The skin's surface is replenished in a 28 day cycle.

Paa++ protects the skin UVA rays which are long wavelengths that penetrate into the skin's second layer. The second layer has a renewal of five to six years which would show you just how important sun protection with Paa++ is.

PS on the Paa... I learned what this meant at the Astalift workshop....

The main ingredient in Astalift is astaxanthin, a red pigment / carotenoids derived from marine life that is 1000x more powerful then CoQ 10! Astaxanthin is delivered in nano-sizes protecting collagens from damage maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Nano technology is generally used to stabilize one key ingredient for safe and efficient penetration into the skin.

Double cleanse with the cleanser worked up into a foam. Great tip: use a foaming sponge with a dime-size amount of the cleanser. It is very clever vs emulsifying in hands. Get a small sponge from a dollar store and work the cleanser into a foamy state and then wash your face with the foam; not the cheap sponge.

When applying the Lotion (toner) you can soak a cotton mask and place it over your face ten minutes for an added hydrating treatment. Great after a night of indulgence.

The Essence can be applied all over or concentrate onto areas with Essence soaked cotton pads where you are feeling some premature lines developing... Or just stop laughing which will help slow those lines down. [Pictured above is my daughter Blaire... thanks for modeling Blaire!]

Curious??

A stretch and lift mask...

... demonstrated by a guy. Apparently ground-breaking as to why all the ladies were flashing their cameras his way. They've never been to my house where it's the strong survive; my husband steals my skin care all the time.

"Aw it's kind of a long story, but see, Shrek and I took some magic potion, and well, now...we're sexy!" Donkey

Collagen drinks won’t make you fat, but they will make you plump. *wink*

Want to get in on the beauty subscription action? Subscribe to Vanity Trove!

I'm sure by now you are all familiar with the greatness that is a beauty subscription - you know - each month a courier brings you a box of beauty goodies to keep you looking fresh & fabulous.

Well... Vanity Trove (Singapore and Malaysia) this month has two trove options.

Trove 1 is themed as Go For Glow. Astalift, a Japanese skincare line, is going to be offered in trial sizes. The value I am told is $150 SGD

Trove 2 is themed as Brighten Up! Beauty basics for spring so put away your dark makeup and make way for a brighter outlook on your beauty regimen. If I had to guess at what's in this selection I would think a brightening foundation, maybe highlighters for the glowing bright complexion, a bright fun red lip and maybe a sheer wash eyeshadow...Disclaimer: please don't hold me to this as I am just guessing. I have no idea what's in the Troves. I get as surprised as you do. [and so does Zoie Jean]

If you want the best of both worlds you can skip the lucky surprise and order both earning 10 Vanity Trove credits. Of course you can earn points by inviting others to join.

Apparently the love for surprises begins early; though I do wonder if it is a learned behaviour? Zoie Jean sees me practically fall into the arms of the couriers when they deliver boxes of beauty wonder to our threshold. [maybe slightly exaggerated for dramatic effect]

Filthy Farmgirl Handmade Soap helps you get clean before you get dirty. *wink* I LOVE the Filthy Valentine (cardamom rose) and the Cheeky Ginger Citrus (I don't have to tell you it's ginger citrus, right?)

SkinC Eye Mask everything I ever try from Skin Incis a success! Place these in the fridge overnight and jump-start your morning routine with a triple tall dry cappuccino and an eye treatment! These eye masks are great for regular beauty maintenance as well as the morning after a night of indulgence. [Plus in my trove was a $50 gift voucher to use. I've had their facials before... I am thrilled to use this voucher towards that! Maybe I'll try the Oxy Miracle.]

Earrings by Rinsie Rose handmade jewelry where time and effort are key to create long-lasting wearable works of art.

Allerines Premium Tea or as Zoie said '???' ... Actually, I have no idea when she was saying in the video and normally I am fluent in preschooler.

When you register for a beauty subscription you know that it's coming but you don't know what gorgeous surprises are inside. Register for yours hereandstart receiving your Vanity Trove in March.

Did you know: a monthly membership is only $25!! That is such a fabulous deal considering you are already double that with a voucher. Check out last months Trovehere.

Hey VT: You may want to consider a special edition Trove Jr then Zoie would keep her hands outta mine. ;)

Vanity Trove: a teaser-sized collection of new and coveted beauty products for you to try while keeping your gorgeous appearance that you so proudly take care of; all delivered monthly to your door in a cute little box, complete with a menu of what's inside and how-to use.

Flip the monthly greeting card over for the menu of what's in store for your beautification.

The Olivella Shampoo & Conditioner trial sizes are great for travel! Tip:You can use the shampoo to clean your makeup brushes! And when using condiitioner [which everyone should use to help maintain your hair's vitality and shine], comb through with a wide-tooth comb prior to rinsing in the shower. Conditioner is mainly needed from the mid-lengths to the ends so if you find conditioner weighs your hair down, avoiding putting it on your roots. Finish with a final cool rinse to seal your cuticle and boost shine.

Angel Lip Tint is being billed as a strong competitor for Benetint as you can use it on the lips and cheeks as well. But, I beg to differ. Benetint: You better watch out! I've always loved the look but found Benetint almost impossible to blend as the stain set really fast on the cheek.

Angel Lip Tint is a lovely sheer rouge that blends! Here I am with it on my lips and cheeks and that is all that I have on... oh and a dress too.

I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to try a snail collagen mask. I've been eye-balling the huge tropical snails on steroids in my yard... this mask makes it a little more sophisticated...

Feeling left out? Don't be. You can jump on the beauty subscription bandwagon.